Spare the Air smog season begins

The millions of cars on our roadways every day remain a major source of smog pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the Bay Area. The Spare the Air campaign encourages residents to drive less and look for ways to share, shorten, or change their commutes to help reduce smog, traffic, and gridlock in the region. As the weather warms and temperatures rise, the risk of calling Spare the Air Alerts for unhealthy air quality becomes greater.

The launch of the Spare the Air smog season coincides with Air Quality Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign to increase air quality awareness and inspire people to take steps to reduce their contribution to air pollution. The campaign provides an opportunity for people to learn about what causes poor air quality and how they can prepare for and respond to it year-round.

The Bay Area will also celebrate All Aboard Bay Area Transit Day on May 6, which encourages people to get out and ride transit as local transportation agencies showcase their improved service and customer experiences.

Spare the Air Alerts are issued when smog, or ozone pollution, is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. Ozone can cause throat irritation, congestion, and chest pain. It can trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs, and worsen bronchitis and emphysema. Ozone pollution is particularly harmful for young children, seniors, and those with respiratory and heart conditions. When a Spare the Air Alert is called, limit outdoor exercise in the late afternoon when temperatures and ozone concentrations are highest.

To find out when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect, residents can register for email or text notifications at www.sparetheair.org/alerts, call 1 (800) HELP-AIR, download the Spare the Air Bay Area app or connect with Spare the Air on Facebook, Instagram, or X.

View press release(247 Kb PDF, 2 pgs, revised 05/05/2025).